Soi Sim Beach Boasts Pure and Serene Beauty

1 Pristine Ecosystem and Dreamy Purple Hues on Soi Sim Island

What sets Soi Sim Beach apart is its exceptionally well-preserved flora and fauna ecosystem. What impressed me most was the lush primeval forest on the island.

The most distinctive feature defining the soul of this island is its naturally thriving population of ancient rose myrtle (sim) trees. Every year around May, the rose myrtle flowers burst into bloom, blanketing the hillsides in purple. This purple hue creates an incomparably romantic scenery and is also the very origin of the island's name.

Since 2011, Quang Ninh Province has established the Ha Long Bay Flora and Fauna Resource Conservation Zone right here. The entire forest ecosystem, along with terrestrial and marine wildlife populations around the island, is strictly protected to preserve maximum biodiversity for the area.

2 Secluded Geographic Location and How to Access Soi Sim Beach

Covering an area of approximately 8.7 ha, this island is located about 12 km from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port. To reach the fresh atmosphere of Soi Sim Island, I usually choose to travel by boat along sightseeing route No. 2. Due to its completely secluded location and currently scarce commercial tourism services, this destination offers absolute serenity for those who wish to reconnect with coastal nature.

3 International Accolades Affirming Soi Sim Beach's Status

On June 8, the US-based global beach ranking organization Corona Beach 100 announced the list of the most worthwhile beaches to experience in 2026. This is an annual award presented by the Corona brand in collaboration with the travel experience agency WINK. The list was unveiled on World Oceans Day to inspire people to step outside while raising awareness of the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. Experts conducted evaluations based on three strict criteria: indigenous coastal culture, degree of natural connectivity, and overall scenic beauty.

This year's rankings feature celebrated destinations across 22 countries, including 27 newcomers. Soi Sim Beach is proud to be the sole representative from Vietnam on this prestigious list. In Southeast Asia, it stands alongside famous island paradises such as Alegria, Cloud 9, and Nacpan in the Philippines; Koh Mak and Railay in Thailand; and Padar and Pink Beach in the Labuan Bajo bay area of Indonesia.

4 The Pristine Allure of Soi Sim Beach and Experiential Activities

4.1 The Beauty of Soi Sim Beach

A smooth white sand beach stretching over 200 meters embracing the cool, refreshing water made the deepest impression on me upon arriving here. At Soi Sim Beach, I could freely immerse myself in the expansive coastal atmosphere and leave all worries behind. Many travelers make the long journey to this island simply because they fell in love with the absolute peace and quiet of nature.

Nature has also endowed the island with rich vegetation thanks to its distinctive geological structure combining Ferralsol and red weathered soil. It resembles a wild green gem that has barely felt the touch of human exploitation.

I was delighted to watch playful troops of monkeys roaming freely and interacting amicably with visitors. In particular, if you visit the island between May and August each year, all the hillsides will be dyed in the dreamy purple hues of blooming rose myrtles.

4.2 Experiential Activities at Soi Sim Beach

If you are a fan of speed, the coastal area offers jet ski rentals so you can take the handlebars and cruise around the island. Those not yet accustomed to steering can readily rely on dedicated assistance and guidance from technicians. Standing from this breezy vantage point, one can gaze into the distance and take in a full panoramic view of the majestic landscapes on both the southeast and northwest sides of Ha Long Bay.

4.3 The Untamed Nature of Soi Sim Beach and Its Lush Flora

The periods from March to May and from August to October are considered the two golden windows for taking this trip. During these times, the weather is dry, cool, and exceptionally favorable for hiking or swimming at Soi Sim Beach. In particular, the period from May to August is the peak blooming season for rose myrtles, providing stunning photo-op backdrops to help you capture viral-worthy shots on social media.

Since this island is very sparsely populated and has not developed overnight hospitality services, I recommend choosing hotels in the center of Ha Long City or around Bai Chay for convenient transit.

You can consider several prominent names in the Bai Chay area such as Oakwood Ha Long on Ha Long Road, River Hotel Ha Long, or D'Lioro Hotel & Resort located on Hai Quan Road. You should proactively book and pay in advance via travel apps like Traveloka to secure your ideal place to stay.

4.4 Savoring the Unique Culinary Essence of the Soi Sim Sea Area

Cuisine around Soi Sim Beach and Ha Long always knows how to pamper seafood lovers. Ranking at the top for nutritional value is peanut worm (sa sung), a famous local delicacy. Fresh peanut worms are often simmered by locals into a delicately sweet broth for pho or stir-fried with fragrant garlic. For dried peanut worms, grilling them over charcoal creates a crispy, delicious drinking snack.

Another unique specialty that I strongly recommend trying is ca say meat. This is a distinctive poultry breed skillfully crossbred between common duck and Muscovy duck. Quang Ninh ca say meat is renowned for its firm texture, rich sweetness, and complete lack of gaminess. It can be prepared in various versatile ways, from grilling, braising, and cooking porridge to boiling.

Yet the most delicious way to enjoy ca say is freshly boiled and dipped in pungent, spicy ginger fish sauce to preserve its full natural sweetness. In addition, do not forget to satisfy your appetite with other renowned coastal dishes such as golden hand-pounded squid patties, horseshoe crab, or the uniquely soft nodding rice rolls (banh gat gu).

5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

5.1 What is the all-inclusive package cost for sightseeing tickets and boat transfer to the island?

To reach the island, you need to purchase a Ha Long Bay Route 2 sightseeing ticket, which costs around 290,000 VND per person. Afterward, you will pay an additional boat transfer fee of about 200,000 VND to reach the island. The total fixed cost for this itinerary comes to approximately 490,000 VND per passenger.

5.2 How long does the boat journey from the mainland to this island take?

Departing from Tuan Chau International Passenger Port, the boat voyage across the sea takes around 90 minutes for the 12 km journey. However, if you depart from stops along Route 2 after completing other sightseeing points, the boat ride to the island takes only about 20 minutes for a distance of a few kilometers.

5.3 What kind of meat is the island's ca say specialty, and how is it best prepared?

Ca say is a specialty poultry crossbred between duck and Muscovy duck. Its meat is firm, richly sweet, and free from gaminess. The finest culinary method to preserve its full natural sweetness is boiling it tenderly and serving it with spicy ginger fish sauce.

A journey spanning hundreds of kilometers by coach, plane, and the undulating waves of tourist boats to reach Soi Sim Beach calls for strict protection of your belongings. Constant movement across various modes of transport can easily cause unwanted bumps to personal luggage. That is also why I rely on suitcase designs from MIA.vn.